Abstract: A tunable process for forming a barrier layer in an opening is provided. First, a dielectric layer is formed on a substrate. Second, an opening is formed in the dielectric layer. The opening has sidewalls and a bottom. Third, barrier layer material is deposited on the sidewalls and bottom of the opening. Fourth, sputter etching is used to remove barrier layer material from an overhang portion of the barrier layer and to redistribute barrier layer material removed from the overhang portion to the sidewalls. During the sputter etching step, the sputter etching may also remove barrier layer material from the bottom of the opening and redistributes barrier layer material removed from the bottom of the opening to the sidewalls. The sputter etching parameters may be selected to achieve a desired barrier layer configuration.

Abstract: A method for in-situ cleaning an electrodeposition surface following an electroplating process including providing a first electrode assembly and a second electrode assembly; applying a first current density across the first electrode assembly and the second electrode assembly for carrying out the electrodeposition process; carrying out the electrodeposition process to electrodeposit a metal onto an electrodeposition surface of the second electrode assembly; and, applying a second current density having a second polarity reversed with reference to the first polarity across the first electrode assembly and the second electrode assembly the second current density having a relatively lower current density compared to the first current density.

Abstract: Within a dual damascene method for forming a dual damascene aperture within a microelectronic fabrication there is employed a first etch stop layer formed of a first material and a second etch stop layer formed of a second material. One of the first material and the second material is a non-nitrogenated silicon carbide material and the other of the first material and the second material is a nitrogenated silicon carbide material. By employing the first material and the second material, there may be etched completely through the first etch stop layer to reach a contact region formed there beneath while not etching completely through the second etch stop layer to reach a first dielectric layer formed there beneath.

Abstract: Within a dual damascene method for forming a dual damascene aperture within a microelectronic fabrication there is employed a first etch stop layer formed of a first material and a second etch stop layer formed of a second material. One of the first material and the second material is a non-nitrogenated silicon carbide material and the other of the first material and the second material is a nitrogenated silicon carbide material. By employing the first material and the second material, there may be etched completely through the first etch stop layer to reach a contact region formed there beneath while not etching completely through the second etch stop layer to reach a first dielectric layer formed there beneath.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of fabrication for metal wiring used in semiconductor integrated circuit devices, and more specifically, to a copper plating method, whereby the wafer edge alignment marks for subsequent processing steps are protected from being covered by copper deposition by two methods: the first method being that of forming alignment mark shields at the wafer's edge, thus preventing both barrier and copper seed layers from being deposited in those regions; the second method being that of forming small pad-like extrusions at the contact ring of the copper plating fixture, thus preventing copper plating at the contact points. In the first method, an alignment mark shield Is utilized to cover the alignment mark areas, near the edge of the wafer, with a mechanical shield. This shield protects the alignment mark regions from film deposition during the sputter deposition steps of barrier and copper seed layers.